"She is not like she was": Corretja believes Swiatek will need to fight to defend US Open in shaky moment for WTA dominance
WTA
Alex
Corretja shared his thoughts on Iga Swiatek's chances of defending her US Open
title and maintaining her position at the top of the WTA rankings.
The former
Spanish tennis player remarked that this year's US Open will present a
different challenge for Swiatek compared to her dominant run in 2022. He
pointed out that Swiatek no longer holds the absolute dominance she had last
year, and other players have come closer to her level, making the competition
tougher.
“The other
players are also improving, and she's also learning how to play with different situations,"
he said.
"And
she can't just go and win every tournament. That's almost impossible.”
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Despite the
increased competition for the world No. 1 spot, Corretja still believes that
Swiatek is one of the main contenders to win the US Open. However, he
acknowledges that she may not necessarily be the absolute favorite to win the
tournament.
"I
think she has made a great process, and she is going to be ready for the US
Open.
"I
think you should put her there as one of the main favourites. I don't know if
she is the top favourite,” claimed Corretja
“But it
might be much closer than last year probably when we saw the way she was
dictating. But I think there is no reason why to worry that she's not going to
be ready.
Corretja
also highlighted Swiatek's performance on hard courts in recent weeks. While
the Polish player fell in the semifinals of the Canadian Open and Cincinnati to
Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, respectively, Corretja believes that she is in a
good form.
“I think
she will have an extremely good US Open and if someone wants to beat her, they
need to play very well because she knows how to defend,” he said.
“She's also
attacking well and she has learned how to move her forehand a little bit
quicker than before. I think her serve also at some points can be very precise
and her return is always good,” Corretja added.
“Her
mentality is great. So I think you’ve got to put her a little on top of the
others, just,” he concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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